Crestview Aerospace begins $13 million expansion

CRESTVIEW — L3 Crestview Aerospace executives anticipate their first project of a planned $13 million expansion that would reportedly bring 340 new jobs to the community's largest employer.

BRIAN HUGHES / News Bulletin

CRESTVIEW — L3 Crestview Aerospace executives broke ground on their first project of a planned $13 million expansion that would reportedly bring 340 new jobs to the community's largest employer.

Dirt flew on Thursday in preparation for an administration building to locate on a company-owned lot adjacent to the leased main office. The administration building should be ready in 13 to 14 months, executives said.

Future projects include the construction of three hangars on Okaloosa County Airports' land next to Crestview Aerospace's campus at Bob Sikes Airport. A fourth hangar under consideration would be a painting facility on the complex’s north side.

Crestview Aerospace will lease the hangars from the county, County Commissioner Wayne Harris said. Bob Sikes Airport's pre-permitting process would expedite the process.

"This is our vision of new growth; it is our commitment to the people of Okaloosa County and Northwest Florida," Crestview Aerospace Chief Financial Officer Randy Duncan said during the groundbreaking ceremony.

Skilled sheet metal mechanics and assembly technicians will benefit from many jobs opening with the expansion, he said.

He encouraged military veterans to be among applicants for the positions.